Rabbi Hyman and Ann Arbesfeld Dedicate YU’s Torah To Go

Rabbi Hyman ’49YUHS, ’53YC, ’56RE and Ann Arbesfeld, longtime Yeshiva University parents, grandparents, and generous supporters, have made a generous gift to YU to dedicate the Torah To Go publications in memory of Ann’s parents, Benjamin and Rose Berger, a”h.

Benjamin and Rose immigrated to America from Poland before World War II. After a few years on the Lower East Side, they settled in the Bronx. Although it was difficult for a Jew to find a job that didn’t require work on Shabbos, Benjamin refused to give up, determined to remain Shabbos observant. He and his younger brother worked as peddlers until they formed a real estate company together.

Benjamin and Rose were baalei chesed who always gave tzedaka and maintained an “open door” policy, welcoming guests every Shabbos and whenever anyone needed a place to stay or a meal to eat. Benjamin, who never missed a minyan, learned Torah every night and made sure to learn with his children, Ann, Sol, and Helen (Laufer). Rose dedicated her life to doing chesed and was very active in The Bikur Holim Hospital in Israel.

“My parents, who were wonderful people, are very much deserving of having their names associated with the spread of Torah and increased Torah learning,” said Ann. “The Torah To Go is a perfect fit.”